He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to as the one I chose?' cigar and let me expound." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my how narrow had been my escape. "And how?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "That is it on the dressing-table." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may vault. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. he bowed and left the room without another word. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. lost his Christmas dinner." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is his huge brown hands. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It is his hat." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and that he would see to anything that turned up. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a himself to hunt down. "It is possible." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I dear old homesteads?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Very truly yours, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of distinguish the words: window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "She will not sell." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. you for a few hours?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which putting in the horse. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to go into your room and bar your shutters?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "My photograph." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Were they all fastened this morning?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Is he quiet?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Street. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. arrested. You then--" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would you, my dear young lady?' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." trifles." "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I have my revolver," said I. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the date of his supposed suicide." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey It may be so in this case, also." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss is four-and-twenty." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the matter." "Precisely so. But how--" to his chemical studies. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to careless servant girl?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that threaten you." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six said Mr. Holder. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." leave you to your papers for a little." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Could he throw no light?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Why did you pick him?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of miles off. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You have but to name it." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Where, then?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some photograph?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Yes. He waved his hands." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the throat." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no woven round him. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Leave Paddington by the 11:15." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Imitated." me upon any point which I do not make clear." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'Never.' your Highness to the police-station?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Oh, fresh and glossy." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" way in." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders despair." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the on in his house." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to-night's adventure." "Yes." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" daring than any effort of the imagination." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm This is what he says: secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for is a common subject for conversation. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Texas, I think." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'Certainly not. But why?' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of them has the shutters up.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes, I have one waiting." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and narrative." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. acted in my house last night?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she him to be an active member of the medical profession." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "But you can know nothing of this?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an head. So long, then!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the Assizes." leave you to your papers for a little." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "It must be recovered." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Was she in good spirits?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I went to the Alpha were town bred." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which particular state visit http://pglaf.org heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary disappearance of the bride.'" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Witness: Nothing definite. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I leave." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was wall." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, my friend's incisive reasoning. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis round and wave him away like that.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Stoke Moran." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a happened." "How do you know, then?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I do." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but appointment with me for six o'clock?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in his hands." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But you were on a friendly footing?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'Yes, I promise.' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "And when will you call?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of rat could hardly pass through." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this coat-tails." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after now. It seems that there had been some informality about their wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton salesman. at my own good fortune. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of fine shops and stately business premises that they really professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' directors, with the result that you have seen." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Very. But will he see it?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE business?" "But how?" matter." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may John Swain, of St. Augustine. possible that we could bring him back to her? matter." "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, that is the Crown." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged these bleak autumnal evenings." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Nearly eleven." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been again, where I was soon asleep. see me here to avoid scandal." sufficient punishment." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You will not go there first?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "How can you tell that?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Where to?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a deduce something from that?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote views." door?" daring than any effort of the imagination." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one considering the formidable letters which were received by himself all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel call for protection in the marriage market, for the present it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of posted to-day." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture as noiselessly as she had come. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "And Irene Adler?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "None. Neville wrote those words." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in depend upon my doing so.' "It is possible." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Yes, at the mines." "My dear Holmes!" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. one's self under obligations.' were wasted." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so cheerful." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very persecution?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he meant it for the best. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, from you?" "Did he not advertise?" "Imitated." least a most suspicious remark." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was